Community Brag Posts

Craftsman Style Toy Shelves

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 02/04/2019 - 19:41

These were such a gratifying project to build! Used a 1x4” for the top front frame and cut a curve in it to give a Craftsman vibe. I really like the look of the retired IKEA Norna bookcase and that inspired the 2x2” framed base painted in a contrasting color. I also finished the top with a full 1x2” frame with mitered corners to make it look more “finished.” If I were to do it again, I’d cut the top plywood shorter to create less overhang on the sides. Eventually I’d like to paint a design in white paint on the top!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Pretreated with strong black tea, steel wool & vinegar stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Smart Simple Workbench

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 12/29/2022 - 04:31

Built this workbench and added some casters from Rockler Woodworking. Also added a power strip for convenience and a handle made from black pipe parts that I had in the garage. I also added a sheet of masonite to the top that I can replace if needed.

Comments

Desk

Submitted by daliae on Sat, 09/17/2011 - 20:32

I made this this February for my daughter’s birthday. I did not use Ana’s plans for same desk since at the time I did not know this site existed. I made my own plans that were influenced by Ballard design and Pottery Barn catalogs. It took me many nights though if you have the time it should not take more than a weekend to make.
I added a keyboard shelf using special slides hat I found at HD.

I made it out pine and plywood from HD. I trimmed the bottom with a trim and painted with primer and high gloss White Dove Valspar paint.

Estimated Cost
75&
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Primer and high gloss White Dove Valspar paint (Lowe's).
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

sgilly02 (not verified)

Thu, 03/15/2012 - 22:47

Your desk turned out beautifully! Does the bottom drawer hold hanging files? Ana's plan mentions buying rails that fit on the sides of the drawers and cost about $1.50, but she doesn't mention specifics. I wondered if you found something that worked for this purpose.

FANCY X FARMHOUSE TABLE

Great, fun project. Only used a Kreg jig, Skill Saw and Sander. Super easy.

Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Jacobean and exterior finish
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Farmhouse King Bed

Submitted by Adam W on Fri, 12/18/2015 - 13:26

This is the first time I have ever built anything and I'm very pleased with the results. The stain is water based 'charcoal gray'. It took 2 - 3 rounds of sanding, one coat of pre-stain, two coats of stain, and 3 coats of polyurathane. Total investment was about $350. It took me 3 months (I didn't have but an hour here and an hour there to work on it). My main concern was that I make it so that the screws were not visible. So I drilled a hole the size of the head of the screw about 1/4 in deep (then the typical pre-drill for the actual screw), screwed it together, then glued a wooden 'plug' in the hole. I'm very happy with the result of that. I also struggled a bit with how to attach the side rails - I ended up using 2 door hinges at each corner. The bed frame is completely separate from the mattress. I have a metal frame that is working fine, so the wooden frame actually does not touch the metal mattress frame. It is just built around it. Tools I used: Hammer, Paint Brush, Electric palm sander, Miter saw and a drill. The miter saw was huge for this project. 

Estimated Cost
$350
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Minwax water based pre-stain, One 32oz can Minwax water based wood stain white tint base (charcoal grey), Verathane Polyurethane (satin - interior)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Pallet Inspired Coat Rack

Submitted by thehallway on Sat, 02/09/2019 - 15:33

I built the coat rack along with the mail sorter and rustic bench for the long hallway to the garage since our new house doesn't have a mud room. I modified it to a length of 6'.  All but a couple pieces are made from poplar.  I burnt the stained pieces with a torch, then put a quick coat of Special Walnut on them.  The painted pieces are Rustoleum Weathered Wood.  Hooks are from Home Depot.

Estimated Cost
<$100 due to already have wood on hand
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
I burnt the stained pieces with a propane torch, then put a quick coat of Special Walnut on them.  The painted pieces are Rustoleum Weathered Wood. The mail sorter has Chalkboard Paint on the front pieces.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Dress up Center

Submitted by Kassidy_D on Sat, 01/07/2023 - 21:19

Made it smaller to better fit my daughter's room.

Comments

Modified Tryde coffee table

Submitted by lkey on Sat, 09/24/2011 - 11:11

We loved the Tryde coffee table, but thought a more industrial look would fit better in our apartment. We saw some black iron pipes at Home Depot and decided to use these for the legs. It turned out great and looks really good with the rest of the furniture! Thanks for the plan!

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$100
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Flip Top Storage Bench

Submitted by Linda7 on Tue, 10/01/2013 - 15:40

So my sister's house is on a rural, sandy lot. Did I mention sand...lots of sand. Her tile doesn't react well to sand-covered shoes , so they needed a place for guests to take off street shoes to replace them with spa booties. I offered to build them a storage bench for that purpose.
I modified the bench to make it shorter as per my sister's request. She also wanted the lower shelf modified to place a boot tray on it to catch the sand. I suggested replacing the lower shelf with rails to place the shoes on so the sand could fall off onto the boot tray. We nailed finish nails into the legs under the rails and slid the tray onto them. Now she can remove the tray easily to dispose of the...sand.
The finish on the body matches the mirror, which hangs above it. The lid of the bench was stained to match the finish on the doors, posts, etc. I used wrap around inset hinges from here: http://www.rocklerpro.com/product.cfm?page=5135&rrt=1
I checked this as a weekend project because of dry time for stain and poly.
Thank you, ANA for the awesome plans.

Estimated Cost
About $65
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Minwax Express Color "Crimson" for body; Minwax "Ipswich Pine" water-based stain, followed by three coats of gloss poly for the top.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

French Country Sideboard

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 12/21/2015 - 19:10

We added additional trim to the top and also a thin trim across the front of the shelves to hide the raw edge.  For paint, I used a grey chalk paint and then wiped an antique white chalk paint over it. I had stained the edges before painting and lightly sanded the paint off of the sharp edges so you see minor amounts of exposed stained wood. 

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Krafty Kimmys Shelf

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/16/2019 - 17:02

My wife, Krafty Kimmy Paperkrafts, needed a shelf to place in her booth at a local store. Obviously made out of pine, I burned and stained it for her. This weekend I'm making a ladder shelf to match.

Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
Burning and Minwax Golden Oak stain.
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Lisa's 2x4 couch

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 01/11/2023 - 19:29

This was the first time I made a piece of furniture since I was in grade 8 shop class and it won't be the last. It was so kuch fun. I modified the plans slightly to have the back a bit higher. Love it!

Built from Plan(s)

Dog Houses

Our local Habitat for Humanity puts on an annual event where they get folks to restore discarded or worn down furniture and sell them at auction. My wife and I participated last year and this year I was asked to build 4 dog houses and then they were going to let local designers/decorators finish them out.

I figured it would be easy to find a good dog house plan, but I was wrong so I had to come up with my own designs. I did not want to use plywood becauase I wanted them to look good. So I used 1x4's and 1x6's. I built them all just a little bit different, but the same basic design on all 3. Since I am not very good with circular cuts, did not do any fancy 1/2 circle doorways!

There are "after" pictures on the Blog. Thanks for looking!

Estimated Cost
$100 each
Estimated Time Investment
Afternoon Project (3-6 Hours)
Finish Used
I didn't finish them out, but did use screws to attach everything, so filled those in with wood putty and sanded down of course.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Comments

Cindy from Indiana (not verified)

Sun, 11/06/2011 - 16:10

Great job for a great cause!

Time to sit & contemplate the next project

Submitted by AtHomeDad on Thu, 10/03/2013 - 18:06

This was my first furniture build & the plans were a great help. Learned a lot along the way, made a few minor changes (1x4 on front of seat gives a little overhang) & had a lot of fun with the project. Our 2 kids are equally proud.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$45
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Canyon Brown SuperDeck stain to match a new fence
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Comments

spiceylg

Fri, 10/04/2013 - 03:46

First build? Impressive! Really love the looks of this bench. Will have to put it on my list!

Above Toilet Cabinet

Submitted by Smokeydog on Thu, 12/24/2015 - 13:08

I built this above toilet cabinet for my son and his wife for Christmas.  They needed a little extra bathroom storage.   Turned out pretty good.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$135.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
BEHR SATIN PAINT
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Coffee Table

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 02/23/2019 - 07:56

Used 4x4's for the legs to make it more "beefy" and therefore had to add an extra 2x6 on top. Also used a 2x4 for the upper side trip instead of 2x2. Used a dark walnut stain and several coats of clear gloss polyurethane.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50 for the wood, ~$20 for other materials (i.e. screws, sandpaper, stain, poly, wood glue, adhesive felt pads under the feet, etc).
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Dark Walnut Stain; Clear Gloss Polyurethane
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate

Farmhouse Bed

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 01/16/2023 - 11:35

This was so much fun to build. I couldn’t decide on a finish, so I used three different ones.
Thanks for the plans!

Built from Plan(s)

Comments

King Farmhouse Bed

Me and my husband had only a hollywood frame forever and just never wanted to spend the money to buy one, then I found this website!! This is the first thing that I ever built I'm pretty proud of my self. Espically since I had the help of my one and two year old it took a little longer but i got it done.

Estimated Cost
$150 including stain, nails and screws
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Ebony Stain
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modern Farm Table

Submitted by AnnieAtoZ on Sun, 10/06/2013 - 22:44

This project was a true labor of love by a first timer. We are first time homeowners and built our home, which was completed spring of this year. Like most wives, I wanted all the bells and whistles in this home. The bells and whistles add up, and next thing you know, we're eating most of our meals on our granite island upgrade, instead of a new dining set. My husband took it upon himself to purchase tools off of Craigslist and research online for modern farm table plans. He came across Ana's site and loved how she broke everything down in her plans. This was the plan he used http://ana-white.com/2009/11/plan-modern-farmhouse-table-knock-off.html The cutting, sanding, and putting the table together took about four to five hours, but staining and waiting around made the project about twenty hours. Also, everything cost $50 on our end, whereas, the West Elm table I wanted is $700. I'm one happy lady, especially since I think our table looks way better than the one from West Elm. I'm excited to report that my husband is currently refurbishing chairs to go with this beautiful table! Thanks a million for your easy to comprehend plans, Ana. You're the best. Here is a post where I featured my favorite piece of furniture http://www.AnnieAtoZ.com/2013/09/diy-modern-farmhouse-table.html

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$50.00
Estimated Time Investment
Weekend Project (10-20 Hours)
Finish Used
Golden Oak mixed with American Standard. Satin polyurethane finish.
Recommended Skill Level
Beginner

Modified Grandy Buffet

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/01/2019 - 02:53

I had to rescale the Ana White plan to an overall length of 72 inches. All joints are Kreg pocket holes.

The most difficult component was engineering the barn door slides. I used:
1/8” aluminum flat bar for the door mounts
1/4” aluminum flat bar for the fixed bar
Polyurethane spacers from Lowe’s
Lind Kitchen Mute Pulley block from Amazon.com 4 each

The pulley blocks were disassembled and only the wheels and axles were used. Thin poly washers from Lowe’s were used as shims to take up play after being mounted to the flat bar.

Built from Plan(s)
Estimated Cost
$400
Estimated Time Investment
Week Long Project (20 Hours or More)
Finish Used
Top - Minwax dark walnut stain with 4 coats satin Varathane
Base - indoor stain blocking primer then two coats of Antique White paint
Recommended Skill Level
Intermediate